by 
August 10, 2026
The Honorable Greg Abbott
Governor of the State of Texas
Post Office Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711
Dear Governor Abbott:
Thank you for your leadership in establishing clear expectations for responsible data center development in Texas. On behalf of CyrusOne and our employees across the state, I want to be clear: we support the priorities you have laid out, we are already delivering against those expectations, and we will continue being part of the solution.
As a company proudly headquartered in Texas, CyrusOne shares your commitment to responsible growth and to the high standards that have made the Lone Star State the best place in the country to invest, build, and create jobs.
We agree that as demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow, new development must be transparent, reliable, and responsive to the needs of Texans. Policymakers, regulators, utilities, and local communities should have confidence that large-load projects are developed responsibly, with a clear understanding of their impacts on the electric grid, water resources, and surrounding communities.
We support the goals you have outlined, and we are confident CyrusOne reflects the best-in-class development and operating principles your directives are designed to encourage. In every respect, meeting your expectations will not require us to change course, as our current practices already reflect them. We welcome the opportunity to provide information that demonstrates how our projects meet these expectations and to work collaboratively with state leaders as the audit process moves forward.
As that framework is developed, we respectfully encourage consideration of project maturity and demonstrated readiness. Projects currently in ERCOT's Batch Zero process have already undergone extensive review, met every established requirement, and advanced through years of planning after substantial capital was committed. These projects have acted in good faith under the existing process and have shown their commitment to meeting Texas' standards.
The impact of these projects is not speculative. It is real. At one of our Texas sites alone, more than 1,400 Texans are on the job today supporting construction, engineering, and skilled trades. Across our portfolio of five active development sites, we have already invested more than $5 billion in land acquisition, engineering, equipment, infrastructure, and labor, supporting more than 5,000 jobs. Two of these projects are scheduled to complete their initial phases in 2026 or 2027, yet they now face uncertainty regarding the timely availability of electric service. That uncertainty affects decisions being made today, including construction planning, equipment procurement, and hiring. Delays in power availability can stall project timelines and create hesitation around future investment decisions. These projects represent significant private investment, thousands of Texas jobs, and critical infrastructure that will strengthen the state’s long-term economic competitiveness.
We welcome continued engagement with your office, the Texas Legislature, regulators, and local communities as Texas builds a framework that protects Texans while preserving the jobs and investment already underway. Governor, CyrusOne is committed to meeting the expectations outlined in your directive and will continue working collaboratively to support responsible growth and Texas’ long-term economic competitiveness.
Respectfully,
John Hatem
Chief Executive Officer
See how CyrusOne is positively shaping communities in Bosque County, Texas and Freestone County, Texas.
Summary
- Increasing pressures on the data center industry – including power reliability and sustainability – are fueling interest in nuclear power, notably SMRs
- Nuclear power has gained acceptance in recent years as a clean solution to overcome rising pollution and climate change while also appealing to those who see it as a means to fuel industrialization and economic growth.
- Despite its growing acceptance, myths about nuclear power and SMRs continue to persist.